Clematis plant named &#39;Andrew VanLaeken&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new variety of  clematis  plant named ‘Andrew VanLaeken’. The variety is characterized by it&#39;s very large flowers with nice color combinations of light purple with reddish veins and healthy dark green foliage. Andrew VanLaeken has a long blooming period and is a strong grower making it easy to propagate.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Clematis sp.

CULTIVAR DESIGNATION

‘Andrew VanLaeken’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hybrid clematis plant known by the cultivar name ‘Andrew VanLaeken’.

The new variety was a chance seedling found in a clematis nursery in Walworth, N.Y. in 2003. Seeds were planted and this variety was picked out because of it's unique color combination, huge flower size and lush dark green foliage. This variety was asexually propagated and observed over the next five years. Asexual propagation by vegetative cuttings has shown that the propagules are identical to the original plant and all distinguished characteristics. The stability of the variety is evidenced by the distinguished characteristics remaining true to form from generation to generation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the features which distinguish the new variety from other present available and known commercial clematis cultivars are the unique color variations. The flower is bluish purple with reddish veins. The stamens are white filaments and reddish anthers. The lush dark green foliage and large blooms make this a desirable plant.

RELEVANT PRIOR ART

This new variety is similar to Clematis sp. ‘Prince Phillip’ as illustrated in Spring Valley Greenhouse, Inc. (6^(th) Edition) on page 5. Clematis sp. ‘Andrew VanLaeken’ has more overlapping tepals also the foliage is a much darker green and has more flowers per plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the new variety. The flowering and foliage colors as shown are, within the limitations of color photography, accurate and true reproductions of the actual colors of new variety. The photographic view is a front elevation of typical Clematis sp. ‘Andrew VanLaeken’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following information is based on a three year old plant grown in 50% shade in a five gallon container in a covered greenhouse with 60° F. ambient night temperatures and 75° F. ambient day temperatures in Walworth, N.Y. Color references are based on using the PANTONE® matching system.

-   1. Plant:     -   -   A. Form.—upright climbing or spreading.         -   B. Growth.—vigorous, vining 1. Height: approximately 8 feet             to 10 feet 2. Diameter/Spread: approximately 2 feet to 3             feet.         -   C. Foliage.—deciduous, compound-trifoliate, opposite 1.             Size, typical and observed: a. compound leaf length 4.5             inches, width 5 inches b. individual leaflets length 2.5 to             3 inches, width 0.75 to 1.5 inches c. leaflets per compound             leaf: 3 2. Quantity of leaves per stem: typically and             observed: about 48 3. Color a. upper surface: dark green             (PANTONE® #574U) b. lower surface: medium green (PANTONE®             #575U) 4. Shape a. leaflets: the overall appearance of leaf             on plant is more lancelot compared to other clematis, margin             is untoothed with pubescent edge, apex is pointed 5.             Texture a. upperside: smooth and veined b. underside: ribbed             and pubescent on veins and edges c. veination pattern:             leaflets palmatic with green coloration on upper and             lower 6. Petiole a. color: light green (PANTONE® #583U) b.             length, typical and observed: 1 to 2 inches c. diameter,             typical and observed: 1/16 inch d. glabrous: no.         -   D. Wood.—1. New Shoots a. color: light green (PANTONE®             #583C) with reddish black tint (PANTONE® #696C) b. bark:             pubescent c. internodes: cylindrical, approximately 3 to 5             inches in length and 1/16 inch in diameter 2. Old Wood a.             color: medium to dark brown (PANTONE® #4705C) b. bark:             smooth ⅛ inch in diameter c. internodes: cylindrical,             approximately 5 to 6 inches in length and ⅛ inch in diameter             and pubescent.         -   E. Hardiness.—US Zones 4 through 8 1. low temperature             tolerance, typical and observed: −10° F. to 0° F. 2. high             temperature tolerance, typical and observed: 90° F. to 110°             F.; requires 6 to 8 weeks dormancy at 35° F. to 40° F. to             remain vigorous.         -   F. Disease.—1. subject to any disease that affects             clematis a. wilt b. botrytis c. powdery mildew.         -   G. Pests.—1. subject to any pest that normally affect             clematis a. aphids b. spider mites c. slugs and snails. -   II. Flower:     -   -   A. Blooming habit.—May and June on new growth based on             climate in Rochester, N.Y. area.         -   B. Bud.—1. Size: typical and observed from about 1.75 to             2.25 inches in length and about ½ to 1 inch in diameter 2.             Form: ovate base with pointed tip 3. Color: light green             (PANTONE® #577C) with purplish veins (PANTONE® #5205C).         -   C. Stem.—1. Dimension, typical and observed: length 1.5             inches, diameter 1/16 inch 2. Aspect: vertical 3. strength:             erect 4. Color: light green (PANTONE® #577C) with purple             shading (PANTONE® #5205C).         -   D. Bloom.—1. Size: typical and observed from about 6 to 8             inches in diameter with a depth of about ¾ inch 2. Form:             round shaped with 6 to 9 tepals of equal size slightly             overlapping 3. Color upper surface: bluish purple (PANTONE®             #257U) with reddish bar (PANTONE® #237U) 4. Color of lower             surface: outer edge is light purple (PANTONE® #2715U) middle             is white with prominent veins 5. Characteristics: born on             1.5 to 2 inch stems on new and old growth 6. Quantity: 1             bloom per stem from 2 or 3 to several hundred blooms per             plant depending on the age and size of plant 7. lastingness:             3 to 6 days as a cut flower or 7 to 10 days on plant.         -   E. Tepals.—1. Form: elliptical shape, narrow at base             rounding at mid section width 1.5 inches to 1.75 inches at             widest point and then tapering down to a pointed apex. The             overall tepal length being 3 to 4 inches. 2. Arrangement of             tepals: regularly arranged slightly overlapping 3.             Fragrance: none 4. Color: (see II D 3 and II D 4 above). -   III. Reproductive organs:     -   -   A. Stamens, filaments and anthers.—1. Arrangement:             irregularly arranged 2. Stamens: typical and observed 40 to             50 per bloom, length 0.75 inch 3. Anthers: length ¼ to ⅜             inch (PANTONE® #198U) reddish 4. Filament: white.         -   B. Pollen.—1. Color: white 2. Amount: scarce.         -   C. Styles.—white, even, average length.         -   D. Stigmas.—1. Color: white.         -   E. Seed, typical and observed.—1. Diameter: 1/16 inch 2.             Thickness: 1.32 inch 3. Color: (PANTONE® #576U) medium             green 4. Shape: round 5. Quantity per bloom: 20 to 30 6.             Description: ¾ inch long persistent style which is clothed             with silky white hairs. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of clematis plant named ‘Andrew VanLaeken’ as shown and described herein. 